Bill
HB 4709
Prohibits constructing or operating wind turbines for commercial electricity in the Great Lakes and blocks RECs for such generation.
HB 4709 — Summary
Overview
- Purpose: Prohibits the construction and operation of wind turbines for commercial electricity production in the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, and removes the ability to earn renewable energy credits (RECs) from such turbines. The bill also adds Section 55 to the 2008 Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act (as amended) to establish these prohibitions and related enforcement mechanisms.
- Sponsor: Primary sponsor Rep. Jay DeBoyer
- Status: Re-referred to Committee on Energy
- Introduced: July 1, 2025
What the bill does (key provisions)
- Section 55(1)
- (a) Prohibits any person from constructing a wind turbine that is intended for the commercial production of electricity in the Great Lakes or their connecting waters.
- (b) Prohibits operating a wind turbine that was constructed in violation of the above prohibition.
- Section 55(2)
- Renewable energy credits (RECs) shall not be granted for electricity generated by any wind turbine constructed in violation of Section 55(1)(a).
- Section 55(3)
- Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action for injunctive relief to enforce the prohibitions in Section 55.
Context and scope
- Relationship to existing law: The bill amends the title of 2008 PA 295 (as amended by 2023 PA 235) to add Section 55, creating a standalone prohibition within the broader framework governing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and related programs.
- Geography and focus: The ban targets wind turbines specifically located in the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, effectively restricting on-water wind energy projects in these areas.
- Remedies and enforcement: The AG is empowered to seek injunctive relief for violations, providing a straightforward enforcement pathway.
Impacts and who would be affected
- Affected actors: Wind energy developers and project sponsors, electric utilities and providers involved in wind energy projects, and entities seeking to qualify for RECs tied to Great Lakes wind generation.
- Economic and regulatory effects: Projects in the Great Lakes region would be prohibited from development under this bill, and any electricity produced by such projects would not qualify for RECs, potentially affecting project economics, financing, and state-recognized clean energy credits.
- Administrative considerations: The bill would require determinations of what constitutes “Great Lakes or their connecting waters” and how this prohibition interacts with existing permits, siting processes, and any federal regulatory regimes.
Procedural and timeline notes
- Introduced: July 1, 2025.
- Initial actions show standard referrals and multiple committee interactions, with rule suspensions noted in the legislative history, reflecting ongoing consideration.
- Current status: Re-referred to Committee on Energy (as the latest official status).
Bottom line
HB 4709 imposes a targeted prohibition on wind turbine construction and operation in the Great Lakes, ties the prohibition to the eligibility of RECs, and provides for AG enforcement. It introduces a new Section 55 within the state’s renewable energy framework and would primarily affect wind energy projects in Great Lakes waters and related eligibility for credits.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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